Solomon: Fittingly, Johnson stars in Texans’ first playoff win

He slowed down and quickly stutter-stepped to make Jones believe he was coming to a halt to make a move. But he didn’t stop.

Instead, he streaked down the sideline, leaving a stunned Jones in his wake, hauled in a pass from T.J. Yates and burst past another defender near the goal line for a touchdown.

He stood still, stared at the roaring sellout crowd of 71,725, soaked it all in and acted as if he had been there before. After a torturous nine years in the NFL, Johnson had finally arrived.

In the end zone. In the playoffs.

And the Texans, a 10-year-old franchise that had been run down, roasted and ridiculed through so many years of mediocrity, had arrived as well.

Johnson’s play blew open a close game and before long a raucous Reliant Stadium was in full celebratory mode, as the Texans cruised to a 31-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday afternoon.

“The atmosphere we had in the stadium today was awesome,” Johnson said. “It’s something, not just me, but the whole organization has been waiting on. It’s special for me because I said the day that I was drafted that I wanted to be a part of that.

“Looking at how excited the crowd was … it was a sight to see.”

As the best player on the NFL’s least-accomplished team, Johnson saw almost all the disappointments, lived through almost all the anguish and dealt with almost all the misery of a decade of irrelevancy. It seemed fitting that he was a huge factor in the team’s historic victory.

While the Texans had posted nine playoff-free years before this season, it had been nearly twice as many years since any Houston team had played in an NFL playoff game (the Oilers in 1994) and even longer (the 1991 season) since a team from Houston won a postseason contest.

“For so long they have been dying for the playoffs and not just the playoffs, but some success and vindication as well,” Texans offensive tackle Eric Winston said. “This has been such a good football city for a long time … I hope this validates us a little bit nationally.”

National respect may be slow in coming, but no doubt locally the Texans, who scored the final 24 points of the game, are the talk of the town.

“This is our greatest achievement,” Texans owner Bob McNair said. “It has to be the happiest moment and greatest accomplishment because of what we’ve had to deal with and being able to win with all the adversity. It’s just a wonderful message for everybody.”

That adversity included key players like starting quarterback Matt Schaub, backup quarterback Matt Leinart and linebacker Mario Williams out for the season with injuries. It includes key contributors like Johnson and safety Danieal Manning, who had an interception against the Bengals, missing significant time during the season.

Among Saturday’s stars were defensive end J.J. Watt, who scored a touchdown on a spectacular interception and return. Watt wasn’t deemed worthy of a college scholarship after he graduated from a small high school in Pewaukee, Wis.

And Arian Foster, who rushed for 153 yards (35 yards more than Oilers’ legend Earl Campbell ever managed in a playoff game) and scored two touchdowns, wasn’t drafted out of college.

And Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, who is below the .500 mark as a regular season coach but perfect in the postseason. The Houston native, who attended St. Pius X and Texas A&M, had his team ready for its most important game.

And defensive coordinator, University of Houston alum and son of Bum, Wade Phillips, who was fired in the middle of last season as the Cowboys’ head coach. Phillips’ unit dominated, intercepting Cincinnati quarterback and Katy High graduate Andy Dalton three times.

Phillips said he was happy for the city, particularly considering that the Oilers bolted for Tennessee leaving Houston without an NFL franchise from 1997 to 2002.

“We lost our team for a while, we got one back and now we got a winner,” Phillips said. “That’s what everybody wanted here and what everybody deserved here. The fans deserve it here and I am glad we’re going on.”

The Texans advance to play the Ravens next week in Baltimore. Houston lost at Baltimore 29-14 on Oct. 16, in a game that Johnson missed with a pulled hamstring.

With Johnson, the Texans are a different team.

When he stood in the end zone after his score against the Bengals, he contemplated whether or not to jump into the stands. Having done that previously, he knew that fans are reluctant to let him go.

But he took a leap of faith anyway. And, of course, the fans held onto him for a very long time.

Just as they will this day. The day Johnson and the Texans finally arrived.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. The Texans won 31-10. less

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 7, ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans owner Bob McNair cheers as the Texans defense gets a turnover on downs late in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. less

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair cheers as the Texans defense gets a turnover on downs late in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium on ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates the Texans win over the Cincinnati Bengals in an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates the Texans win over the Cincinnati Bengals in an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Texans fan Brandi Hinson, left, gets a high five from Ron Hinson as they celebrate the Texans 31-10 AFC wildcard playoff win against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Texans fan Brandi Hinson, left, gets a high five from Ron Hinson as they celebrate the Texans 31-10 AFC wildcard playoff win against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Fans cheer during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. The Texans won 31-10.

Fans cheer during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. The Texans won 31-10.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans tackle Eric Winston applauds the crowd as he leaves the field following the Texans victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Houston Texans tackle Eric Winston applauds the crowd as he leaves the field following the Texans victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton embrace following the Texans win in an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium. The Texans beat the Bengals 31-10. less

Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton embrace following the Texans win in an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium. The Texans beat the Bengals ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates hugs teammate Lawrence Vickers during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates hugs teammate Lawrence Vickers during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing hugs his teammate running back Arian Foster after an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing hugs his teammate running back Arian Foster after an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Mark Bowman cheers during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game between the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium.

Mark Bowman cheers during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game between the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) pushes Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Chris Crocker (42) to the side as he breaks away on a 42-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium. less

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) pushes Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Chris Crocker (42) to the side as he breaks away on a 42-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster leaps into the stands in celebration of a touchdown run against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game.

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster leaps into the stands in celebration of a touchdown run against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game.

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) leaps into the stands after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium. less

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) leaps into the stands after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant ... more

Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24), defensive back Brice McCain (21) and free safety Danieal Manning (38) break up a pass in the end zone intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) during the fourth quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium. less

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson (89) leaps over Houston Texans defensive back Brice McCain (21) during the third quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson (89) leaps over Houston Texans defensive back Brice McCain (21) during the third quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates (13) throws a first down pass to Andre Johnson against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates (13) throws a first down pass to Andre Johnson against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) hauls in a 40-yard touchdown catch past Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Chris Crocker (42) during the third quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game against at Reliant Stadium. less

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) leaps into a crowd of fans next to Houston Texans center Chris Myers (55) after Johnson scored a 40-yard touchdown during the third quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium. less

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) leaps into a crowd of fans next to Houston Texans center Chris Myers (55) after Johnson scored a 40-yard touchdown during the third quarter of an AFC wildcard ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans players stream out of the tunnel to start the third quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Houston Texans players stream out of the tunnel to start the third quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis claps to his team during the third quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game against the Houston Texans.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis claps to his team during the third quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game against the Houston Texans.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton throws a pass during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton throws a pass during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) returns an interception 29 yards for a touchdown as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) gives chase to give the Texans the lead during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium. less

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) returns an interception 29 yards for a touchdown as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) gives chase to give the Texans the lead during the second quarter ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) returns an interception for 29 yards putting the Texans in the lead during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) returns an interception for 29 yards putting the Texans in the lead during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates after returning an interception 29 yards for a touchdown during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates after returning an interception 29 yards for a touchdown during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates with cornerback Jason Allen (30) after Watt returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium. less

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates with cornerback Jason Allen (30) after Watt returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans fan Camden Graham, 7, cheers Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the third quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Houston Texans fan Camden Graham, 7, cheers Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the third quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) gets past Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) gets past Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Kelly Jennings (23) breaks up a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium. less

Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Kelly Jennings (23) breaks up a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) during the second quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) is brought down by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Jonathan Fanene (68) and defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) during the second quarter.

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) is brought down by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Jonathan Fanene (68) and defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) during the second quarter.

Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) is grabbed by Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) as he brings him down during the first quarter.

Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) is grabbed by Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) as he brings him down during the first quarter.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans fan Keygan Rampersad holds a toy tiger in his mouth as the Texans played the Cincinnati Bengals in the first quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game.

Texans fan Keygan Rampersad holds a toy tiger in his mouth as the Texans played the Cincinnati Bengals in the first quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson (32) dives in for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson (32) dives in for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) reaches out and was called for pass interference on a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) in the first quarter.

Houston Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) reaches out and was called for pass interference on a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) in the first quarter.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans fan Dale Tracey cheers as the team takes the field before an AFC wildcard playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Houston Texans fan Dale Tracey cheers as the team takes the field before an AFC wildcard playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans greets Dennis Quaid, who is carrying his son, Thomas Boone, 4, as they walk out to the coin toss before an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Houston Texans inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans greets Dennis Quaid, who is carrying his son, Thomas Boone, 4, as they walk out to the coin toss before an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Singer Yolanda Adams chats with Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith after she sang the National Anthem before an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Singer Yolanda Adams chats with Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith after she sang the National Anthem before an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Tanner Hudnall, 10, of Houston, puts his hand over his heart as he holds the U.S. flag before an AFC wildcard playoff football game between the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium.

Tanner Hudnall, 10, of Houston, puts his hand over his heart as he holds the U.S. flag before an AFC wildcard playoff football game between the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans players wait in the tunnel to take the field before an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Houston Texans players wait in the tunnel to take the field before an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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The color guard waits for the Houston Texans to be introduced so they can present the flag for the National Anthem before an AFC wildcard playoff football game between the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium . less

The color guard waits for the Houston Texans to be introduced so they can present the flag for the National Anthem before an AFC wildcard playoff football game between the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans fan Paul Hughes, a season ticket holder since the first game, cheers as the team takes the field before an AFC wildcard playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans fan Paul Hughes, a season ticket holder since the first game, cheers as the team takes the field before an AFC wildcard playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium on ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is introduced before an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is introduced before an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Fomer Houston professional player football players hold a Texas flag with fans before an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Fomer Houston professional player football players hold a Texas flag with fans before an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston ... more

Houston Texans fans hold a playoff banner before an AFC wildcard playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Former Houston Oilers head coach Bum Phillips stands in the tunnel before an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Former Houston Oilers head coach Bum Phillips stands in the tunnel before an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Clay Walker performs before an AFC wildcard playoff football game between the Houston Texans and then Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium.

Clay Walker performs before an AFC wildcard playoff football game between the Houston Texans and then Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texans fan Brent Silva of Houston (center) cheers as the Texans enter the field during before first quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium on Saturday January 7, 2012 in Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. The Texans defeated the Bengals 31-10.( Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle ) less

Texans fan Brent Silva of Houston (center) cheers as the Texans enter the field during before first quarter of an AFC wildcard playoff football game at Reliant Stadium on Saturday January 7, 2012 in Saturday, ... more